Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-03-09
Just What the Interstate Bill Means.

State committee.
Just What the Interstate Bill Means.
The general passenger agents of the
various roads in the southwestern pas
senger association have submitted to
the general managers their report re-
garding the interstate commerce law
as relating to passenger traffic. The
recommendation made will have yet
TO be ratified by the general managers.
The main difficulties, the report says,
encountered in giving practical effect
to the new law are found in section
%. In relation to the proviso therein
that, Nothing in this act shall apply
TO the issuance Of mileage, excursion
or Communication passenger tickets"
the view Of the general passenger
agents is that this means that in re-
gard to these tickets the rates for them
are not required to be published, as
in the case of the regular local tariff,
and that they may be changed from
time to time without the required
notice, as in the case of the rates in
the published tariffs.
The report says "In regard to the
first question, common carriers are
required to apply the provisions of
the Interstate law to passenger bust
ness from one State or territory of the
United States or the District Of Co.
lumbia to any other State or territory,
or from any place in the United States
or an adjacent foreign country, or
from any place in the United States
through a foreign country to any 9TH
er place in the United States, or to or
from a foreign country, to or from
any State or territory. 1t requires
that business carried within the Unit
ed States or territories to or from ad-
iacent foreign countries shall be
amendable to the same rules as apply
on interstate business. All charges
made for any service shall be reason
able and just. For like and con.
temporaneous service and for trans
portation of like kind of traffic I'M
der substantially similar circumstances
and conditions, a like charge shall be
made. 1t requires that every common
carrier print, and keep for public in
spection in ever depot or station,
schedules showing the rates of fare
for transportation of passengers and
property. 1t requires 10 days notice
Of any advance in rates. Reductions
may be made without previous notice,
but when made shall be Immediately
publically posted. 1t requires the
publication of tariff rates which APP
ply only to roads owned, operated,
leased or controlled by each independ-
ent corporation. For example, the
Chicago & Northwestern is not re-
quired to publish rates from its sta
lions to points on the Chicago & St.
Paul, Minneapolis d Omaha.
Regarding subject No. 2, the law
inferentially permits first, second and
lemigrant) third classes of passengers
If the accommodations are as varied
as the classes. Children under s
years of age, accompanied by parents
or guardians, may be carried free
children of 5 or under IL years of age
may be carried at half-fare. 1t infer
entially permits special additional
charges for special trains or other I'M
usual service. 1t inferentially per-
mits variation in charges based up
on restricted availability of the ticket.
It inferentially permits the issuance
Of mileage, excursion or accommoda-
ton passenger tickets, but does not
permit a discrimination in favor Of
any person. For example, rates
made in favor Of any organized body |
religious or secular, secret, etc, must
be contemporaneously available to
any person. 1t permits reduced rates
TO ministers of religion, and free
to railway employees.
The law leaves it for general mana
gers to determine whether the pay
ment of commissions shall be contin.
ued. The question of passes or re-
duced rates for the families of railway
employees is referred to the general |
for determination. Mileage
tickets may be sold at any rate not
greater than the legal fare that the
common carrier may elect to charge,
but they cannot be sold at different
rates to different individuals or firms.
The general passenger agents recon-
mend that thousand mile tickets, i'll
sold, must be sold to every person at
the same price. and shall be at the
uniform rate of % cents per mile.
Regarding subject 8, the law for
bids special rates, rebates, drawbacks,
or any other device whereby rate
can be reduced or increased to work
against any person. 1t
forbids greater compensation for a
shorter than longer haul over the
same line and in the same direction.
II prohibits the charging or accepting
! greater or less compensation than
he rates rs established and published.
It only inferentially permits giving
reduced rates 10 ministers Of religion,
mt clearlv forhids reduced rates or